Sonex #48 N25198 "first" flight
Posted: Sat May 28, 2016 7:38 pmSonex #48 returned to the sky today after taking 15 years off due to being grounded for 9-11-2001 during phase 1 testing. She's changed hands numerous times, travel cross country twice on an open trailer and had the hangar rash to prove it.
Carl Benda picked it up on a barn find (literally) and spent the better part of two years fixing her up. New EFIS, tail feathers, and new turbo Aerovee. Carl's an A&P and did great work on her. He asked me to do the "maiden" flight as he has no Sonex/tailwheel/low wing experience yet.
She flew like a Sonex. The engine was silky smooth and produced almost as much power as my Jabiru. I different prop and it might actually outperform my plane. Only squawk was a heavy left wing. Good job Carl! Now to complete Phase 1 again!
I believe this is the first Turbo Aerovee in Colorado and maybe at any high altitude airport, 6800ft DA today was 9000ft. So far, so good!
Carl Benda picked it up on a barn find (literally) and spent the better part of two years fixing her up. New EFIS, tail feathers, and new turbo Aerovee. Carl's an A&P and did great work on her. He asked me to do the "maiden" flight as he has no Sonex/tailwheel/low wing experience yet.
She flew like a Sonex. The engine was silky smooth and produced almost as much power as my Jabiru. I different prop and it might actually outperform my plane. Only squawk was a heavy left wing. Good job Carl! Now to complete Phase 1 again!
I believe this is the first Turbo Aerovee in Colorado and maybe at any high altitude airport, 6800ft DA today was 9000ft. So far, so good!